Magico’s S5 Loudspeakers Feature Some Rather Innovative Technology At a Very Steep Price

In celebration of Magico’s 20th anniversary, the company is expanding its mid-level S Series loudspeaker range with the introduction of the new third-generation S5 floorstanding loudspeaker. The Magico S5 is the step-up model from the Magico S3 announced last year, which is said to offer an even wider performance envelope and numerous cutting-edge advancements in a substantially larger package. However, the S5 (aka S5 2024) won’t ship until Q3 2024.

Design process

The Magico S5 enjoys benefits derived from a lengthy development project that yielded knowledge and processes now used in the vaunted M Series. A Polytec Laser Vibrometer was leveraged to precisely measure the most minute vibration of the cabinet panels and calculate the sound-pressure levels they generate. This enabled Magico to address them early in the design process, resulting in the desired target: the S5’s cabinet adds no coloration to the sound.

The Klippel Near-Field Scanner robot enabled multiple acoustic measurements of the 3D sphere around the S5, which gave a complete view of the on- and off-axis response of the speaker.

Sculpted enclosure

The newly designed curved-and-shaped aluminum cabinet-optimized using simulated 3D modeling to minimize internal resonances-maximizes stiffness while enabling optimal damping strategies. The front baffle is curved for minimal diffraction effects. Notably, the S5’s internal volume was increased by 31% versus the previous version. The larger bass cabinet enables the S5’s low-frequency response to plumb 5Hz lower—to 20Hz—while keeping the same sensitivity (88dB).

Innovative driver technology

Driver technology is key to all Magico loudspeakers. The Magico engineering team has spent countless hours in intense research and development to create the highest-performing drive units available today. The S5 is a showcase for these efforts.

A key change from previous Magico cones is the aluminum-honeycomb core sandwiched by graphene-reinforced carbon-fiber skins. The Nano-Tec v.8 cone’s revolutionary core structure—possible only with recently developed manufacturing techniques—allows lower thickness, lighter weight, and more effective damping. The result has pushed distortion lower than ever before.

In addition to vastly improved cone construction, Magico has invested three years on a new generation of driver chassis. This third-generation chassis structure improves on both mechanical and acoustical parameters, like much improved force distribution, better suspension designs, and a dual-post configuration that equalizes dynamic tensile wire forces. The new chassis achieves an ideal combination of stiffness and damping while allowing minimal acoustic contribution by reducing modes and maximizing air flow.

Drivers

The S5’s midrange is 6″ in diameter with a 3″ voice coil. It employs the Magico Nano-Tec v.8 cone and is built into a third-generation chassis. This driver features two extra-large neodymium magnets, a full copper cap, and a pure titanium voice coil. The S5’s midrange sets a new benchmark for measured performance in both the frequency and time domains. The result is midrange clarity that will leave you speechless.

Bass in the S5 is provided by a pair of 10″ woofers. Each driver sports a 5″ titanium voice coil and a Nano-Tec v.8 cone built into a third-generation chassis. This woofer has a huge copper cap and is capable of one half inch of linear movement with the lowest distortion available in a driver of its size. This enables the S5 to provide accurate, undistorted low frequencies while producing high maximum sound-pressure levels. The S5 produces low frequencies with awe-inspiring power and depth, while maintaining fidelity to the source not heard outside of a Magico loudspeaker.

The S5’s tweeter is based on the model used in the M Series. The S5’s 28mm tweeter uses a diamond-coated beryllium diaphragm. A neodymium-based motor system yields the lowest distortion possible today along with even greater power handling than previous S Series speakers. Careful FEA modeling allowed Magico to improve the mechanical and acoustical performance of the back chamber. The S5’s high frequencies are chock-full of textural detail and the sonic subtleties Magico is renowned for.

Crossover design

The S5’s three-way Elliptical Symmetry Crossover (ESXO) is accomplished with an acoustical-target 24dB-slope using a Linkwitz-Riley filter. Maximum frequency and phase linearity is accomplished while keeping intermodulation distortion to vanishing levels. The S5 uses a full complement of state-of-the-art components from Mundorf of Germany, including the company’s MResist Ultra Resistors. New to the S5 are Mundorf MCoil Foil coils to lower the noise floor by reducing microphonic effects. The result of the S5’s ESXO crossover is superior coherence from the speaker’s four drive units.

Accoutrements

The S5 is available in a generous selection of premium finishes: six Softec choices that are rich in color depth, smooth to the touch, and very durable; and six High Gloss finishes that are expertly polished to a lustrous shine with a clear top coat. The three-footer support system uses constrained-layer damping and premium materials for greatly enhanced sonic performance.

Comparison

S5 orders placed in the 2024 calendar year will include a special accessory box celebrating Magico’s 20th anniversary. This memento was designed and crafted specifically to accompany the S5, shaped with the curvature of the S5’s cabinet. Each custom machined-aluminum accessory box is engraved with your S5s’ serial numbers and the Magico “20” anniversary logo.

Price & Availability

The Magico S5 2024 Loudspeakers will be available Q3 2024 at $74,500/pair in Softec finish or $83,000/pair in high gloss.

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